Yes, it’s touristy, but what fun! Offered seasonally by Trolley Tours, this two-and-a-half-hour tour leaves from Union Station and stops at the following memorials: Iwo Jima, FDR, Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans and Korean War. They look simply stunning in the moonlight. Call for times (a typical run might be 7:30 to 10 P.M.). Plan to be at Union Station a half hour ahead to purchase your tickets. If you prefer a private tour, contact A Tour de Force.

Filmmaker Ken Burns calls this building “our national attic.” In addition to housing America’s Charters of Freedom—the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights—it contains 9 billion historical records, including scientific documents, patents and family histories. A visit here starts with a short, well-done film about the practical applications of the archives, including how they were used to break the Nazi-gold story a few years ago. The Big Three are housed in the rotunda, where they are kept under low light for preservation; be prepared for a long line if you want to see them up close. There are also interesting exhibits, including letters from ordinary Americans to government officials. My favorite: a missive from a man returning $1 in cash to the Treasury to make up for an extra loaf of bread he took as a soldier during the Civil War thirty-six years earlier. The archives make a wonderful pair with the Newseum. Nearby lunch spots: Oyamel, Central, TenPenh.